Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Use an ATM with a no-fee card — the ATM gives you the real mid-market rate, while airport exchange booths charge 10–20% above it. On a $500 exchange, that difference is $50–100 in hidden costs.
The key rule
Airport currency exchange booths typically charge 10–20% above the mid-market rate.
On a $500 exchange, that is $50–100 in hidden fees. The ATM is almost always better — even with a bank fee. And with a no-fee card, the ATM is unambiguously better.
Travelex operates currency exchange kiosks at Concourse E (international) and Concourse T (main terminal atrium); additional ICE kiosks are in Concourse F.
Travelex booths at ATL typically charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate, plus a flat service fee on smaller transactions. The booths are convenient on arrival from international flights but represent a significant cost for any meaningful amount.
Chase and Bank of America ATMs are distributed throughout all five concourses (T, A, B, C, D, and F) and in the main terminal atrium; the international Concourse E has ATMs near baggage claim and the customs exit.
ATMs at ATL are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. Using a Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut debit card at any ATM eliminates foreign transaction fees and ATM surcharges entirely.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for ATL
Use an ATM with a no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) and decline any offered currency conversion at the ATM. Airport exchange booths charge 15-20% above the real rate.
Pro Tip
If arriving internationally at Concourse E, walk past the Travelex booths immediately after customs — the ATMs just beyond them give a dramatically better rate for the same foreign currency.
Before you leave
Order foreign currency from your bank before departure — Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer currency ordering at branches and online (3–7 business days). Rates are better than airport booths, and you avoid the airport rush entirely.
At your destination
Withdraw from a local ATM at your destination — you get the real mid-market exchange rate, minus a small network fee. A no-fee card eliminates even that. This is almost always the cheapest option.
In transit
Currency exchange at city banks or post offices in your destination country is typically far better than airport rates in both countries. Most major cities have walk-in currency exchange with rates 5–10% better than airport booths.
Is it better to exchange currency at ATL airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport charge 10-20% above the mid-market rate. At your destination, ATMs give the real interbank rate minus a small network fee — typically saving $50-100 on a $500 exchange versus the airport booth.
Where are the ATMs at ATL airport?
Chase and Bank of America ATMs are distributed throughout all five concourses (T, A, B, C, D, and F) and in the main terminal atrium; the international Concourse E has ATMs near baggage claim and the customs exit. ATMs at ATL are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. Using a Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut debit card at any ATM eliminates foreign transaction fees and ATM surcharges entirely.
Which currency exchange is at ATL airport?
Travelex operates currency exchange kiosks at Concourse E (international) and Concourse T (main terminal atrium); additional ICE kiosks are in Concourse F. Travelex booths at ATL typically charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate, plus a flat service fee on smaller transactions. The booths are convenient on arrival from international flights but represent a significant cost for any meaningful amount.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at ATL?
The Charles Schwab debit card is the top choice — it reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and charges 0% on international transactions, giving you the real mid-market exchange rate. Wise and Revolut travel cards are strong alternatives with similar 0% fee structures. Avoid using a standard bank debit card, which typically charges 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus an ATM surcharge of $3-5.
See also: Getting around ATL airport · Live ATL TSA wait times
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